Barcelona’s two-point La Liga lead puts Atlético meeting at centre of Sunday’s slate

Barcelona’s two-point lead over Atlético Madrid makes their La Liga meeting the defining fixture in a 33-match, seven-league programme. Which game best answers the day’s biggest table question? Atlético’s third-place 28 points meet Barcelona’s first-place 30, with both teams carrying strong recent form.

Bundesliga

1. FC Köln v Bayer Leverkusen brings sixth against 15th in the provisional table. Leverkusen are four points ahead, 13 to 9, and their LLWWW sequence is markedly stronger than Köln’s DDLWL form. SC Freiburg v Union Berlin also offers a clear table contrast: fourth-placed Freiburg have 16 points, nine ahead of Union’s 7, although Freiburg’s WLLWD record leaves room for scrutiny.

Also today, 1899 Hoffenheim are 14th on 9 points against 17th-placed Schalke on 6. Hoffenheim’s LWWLL form faces Schalke’s LDLLD sequence.

La Liga

Atlético Madrid v Barcelona is the day’s central contest. Barcelona sit first on 30 points and Atlético third on 28, while Atlético arrive with WWWWW form and Barcelona with WLWWW. The narrow provisional-table gap gives the meeting its clearest consequence.

Real Sociedad are fifth on 19 points before hosting Rayo Vallecano, 14th on 12, with Sociedad’s LWWWW form another strong reason to watch. Elche v Real Betis pairs 17th with fourth: Betis are 13 points ahead, 23 to 10.

Also today, Celta Vigo are 12th on 12 points against 18th-placed Levante on 10, while Villarreal and Getafe meet level on 12 points in 11th and 15th.

Liga Profesional Argentina

Instituto Cordoba are ninth in Apertura - Group A on 21 points before facing Newells Old Boys, 14th on 15. Central Cordoba de Santiago v Lanus is the other fixture, with Lanus sixth on 24 points and eight points ahead of Central Cordoba’s 16.

Ligue 1

Rennes v Lille is one of the closest upper-table fixtures: Lille are third on 18 points, two ahead of fifth-placed Rennes on 16. Their form lines, WDDWL and LWLWL respectively, add a useful contrast. Lens v Marseille is similarly tight, with Marseille sixth on 15 points and Lens ninth on 13; Marseille’s WWWWL record is the sharper sequence.

Also today, Lyon are fourth on 17 against Stade Brestois 29, 11th on 12; Monaco are seventh on 15 against Le Mans, 17th on 7; Nice are eighth on 14 at Angers, 15th on 8; and Lorient, 12th on 12, visit 18th-placed Le Havre on 2.

Major League Soccer

Seattle Sounders v Los Angeles FC is separated by one point in the Western Conference: LAFC are sixth on 47, with Seattle eighth on 46. FC Dallas, second on 58, face Colorado Rapids, 12th on 43, while third-placed St. Louis City on 54 visit fifth-placed Houston Dynamo on 51.

Also today, Real Salt Lake are ninth on 45 against 11th-placed Los Angeles Galaxy on 44; Portland Timbers are seventh on 46 at Austin, 14th on 34; San Diego are 13th on 38 against Sporting Kansas City, 15th on 26; and fourth-placed San Jose Earthquakes on 52 visit Minnesota United FC, 10th on 44.

Premier League

Brighton v Brentford brings third against seventh, with Brighton five points ahead, 19 to 14. Brighton’s WLWWW form is a notable counterpoint to Brentford’s WDLDW. Manchester United v Aston Villa also deserves attention: Villa are 12th on 12 points, five ahead of United’s 7 in 18th, while United’s LLDDD sequence includes three consecutive draws.

Also today, Liverpool are sixth on 15 at 19th-placed Crystal Palace on 7; Chelsea are fourth on 16 at Sunderland, 20th on 5; and Bournemouth are ninth on 12 against Ipswich, 14th on 11.

Serie A

Napoli v Lazio contrasts 10th with first in the provisional table. Lazio have 28 points to Napoli’s 14 and bring WWWWW form. Inter v Como is the closest Serie A meeting near the top: Inter are third on 25, two points ahead of fourth-placed Como on 23, with Inter’s LWWWW and Como’s WWWWD sequences both strong.

Also today, AC Milan are fifth on 21 at Genoa, 12th on 13; Atalanta are 13th on 11 at 18th-placed Monza on 7; and Juventus, seventh on 17, visit Fiorentina, 15th on 8.

Atlético Madrid v Barcelona is the single match not to miss: first and third are separated by two points, with both teams bringing strong form into the meeting.